How to get dealer plates in Florida
What Florida dealer plates cost, the types you can get, how to apply, and the rules on using them. Verified as of June 2026.
FL dealer plates at a glance:
- Issued by
- County tax collector / license plate agent
- Cost per plate
- $27/yr per plate; temp $2 + $2.50 fee
- Requirement
- Valid Florida dealer license + PIN
- Use them for
- Dealer-owned vehicles in business use
- Term
- Annual
Informational only — confirm current fees and rules with the Florida DHSMV (FLHSMV) before you apply.
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What Florida dealer plates are
Florida dealer license plates let a licensed dealer operate the vehicles in inventory — and a temporary dealer plate is how a customer drives a just-purchased car off the lot. You buy dealer plates from any county tax collector or license plate agent once you hold a valid Florida dealer license.
There are two things dealers usually mean by "dealer plates" in Florida: the metal dealer license plate (annual, for the dealership's own vehicles) and the temporary dealer plate (a 30-day plate issued to a buyer). This guide covers both — cost, how to get them, and the use rules.
Types of FL dealer plates
Metal plates (printed with "Dealer") for vehicles the dealership owns and uses in the business. The annual use tax is $27 per plate. Dealers may also buy specialty plates in lieu of standard dealer plates.
Issued so a customer can drive a newly purchased vehicle off the lot — valid for 30 days. They cost $2.00 each, with a $2.50 service fee per transaction.
Optional specialty plates a dealer can carry in place of standard dealer plates. The dealer pays all annual use, processing, and switching fees; specialty purchases must be done a few months before the regular plate renewal.
How to get dealer plates in Florida
- 1
Hold a valid Florida dealer license
Dealer plates may be issued only to a dealer with a valid Florida dealer license. Get your license first (see the Florida dealer license guide).
- 2
Have your dealer license number and PIN ready
Buying dealer plates requires your Florida dealer's license number and PIN. Keep them handy when you visit the tax collector or license plate agent.
- 3
Visit a tax collector or license plate agent
Dealer license plates are purchased from any county tax collector office or license plate agent — not ordered centrally from FLHSMV.
- 4
Pay the per-plate fees
Pay the $27 annual use tax per dealer plate. For a temporary dealer plate, it's $2.00 per plate plus a $2.50 service fee per transaction.
Rules on using FL dealer plates
- Dealer license plates may be used on vehicles owned by the dealer while being used in connection with the dealer's business.
- Temporary dealer plates let a customer who has no plate drive a newly purchased vehicle off the lot, valid for 30 days.
- Standard dealer plates carry the word "Dealer" at the bottom; specialty plates have their own fee and timing rules.
- Keep dealer-plate use within the business — improper personal or non-business use can draw enforcement.
Common questions
How much do Florida dealer plates cost?+
The annual use tax on a Florida dealer license plate is $27 per plate. A temporary dealer plate (the 30-day plate a customer drives off on) costs $2.00 each, plus a $2.50 service fee per transaction. Specialty plates carry additional fees.
How do I get dealer plates in Florida?+
Once you hold a valid Florida dealer license, buy dealer plates from any county tax collector or license plate agent using your dealer license number and PIN. They aren't ordered centrally from FLHSMV.
What's the difference between a dealer plate and a temporary dealer plate?+
A dealer license plate ($27/year) goes on vehicles the dealership owns for business use. A temporary dealer plate ($2 + a $2.50 service fee) is issued to a buyer so they can drive a newly purchased vehicle off the lot for up to 30 days.
Can I use a Florida dealer plate on any vehicle?+
No. Dealer license plates are authorized for vehicles owned by the dealer while used in connection with the dealership's business. Using them outside that scope can draw enforcement action.
Do Florida dealer plates need to be renewed?+
Yes — the dealer license plate use tax is annual, so you renew each year. If you want specialty plates in place of standard dealer plates, the switch generally has to be arranged a few months before your regular plate renewal.
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